I have two fancy goldfish, I am not sure exactly what kind. I've have them for 3 years and they've grown quite a bit and have very round bodies. Both are prone to swim bladder disease and I supplement their diet with peas and sinking shrimp pellets. Problem is one of the fish has an irreversible swim bladder disease and cannot swim up easily or float as all. The fish (Willy) has been like this since March but has managed to live ok and eat. However, 3 days ago he developed a large mass on his backside, to be honest it looks like he could have swallowed a piece of gravel. I feel really bad and I forgot to mention that he was born with one eye. Hence his name One Eyed Willy. I am not sure what to do for the little guy he's still trying to swim but between the swim bladder issue and this creepy growth he's weighed down even more. I am a true animal lover but I'm not sure it's worth a vet visit (my husband would kill me) Any thoughts, do fish feel pain?? It's quite disturbing to see him like this. Although he is still swimming around, on the bottom of the tank. Has anyone heard of anything like this?? I've posted a pic, it's not great quality but I think you can see what I'm talking about.

Oh dear, I don't know what this could be other than what you feel may have happened - that he swallowed a rock. If that is the case, I'm afraid there isn't much that can be done since it looks as though it has travelled deep inside his belly. I don't know about any kinds of tumors but perhaps this is one of those, albeit a fast growing one if it's just been 3 days. Some of the other girls on here may know what this is and be able to offer some advice. Sorry about this though - poor Willy

Thanks, Willy is a cool fish too. Before the swim bladder issue (that was caused by floating goldfish pellets that shouldn't be marketed as such) he was great. I unfortunatly don't think there is much I can do either at this point. Sad to watch and look at. I haven't seen him eat the past 2 days. A one eyed, fish that doesn't float with a pebble in its belly. Yikes. Appreciate the response though.

I have heard of goldfish actually swallowing gravel.It either will pass on it's own or it won't and will become an intestinal blockage and of course that is fatal. You could try heating the water to 80 degrees and try epsoms salts, 1/4 tsp to every gallon of water. The epsoms salts can act as a relaxant and laxative. Other than that I really don't have any other suggestions.

This is the reason why I choose not to have gravel in the tanks. Before two of my fish kept getting gravel stuck in their mouths. My husband had to catch the fish and get the gravel out. They were small then so I decided I'm not going to wait till they get big and actually swallow a gravel. So for the meantime it's going to be bare bottom until I'll find the ideal gravel size.

If you feel like it won't get any better and it's best to humanely kill Willy, well you can put him in the freezer for a peaceful death. That is last resort in my opinion and would take mine to a vet first. I would try the epsom salts, but are you sure it is a piece of gravel? It could actually be a growth or a swelling of the organs.

I am honestly pretty certain that it's NOT a piece of gravel. And I guess that's mainly because I never heard about a goldfish actually swallowing it (only getting stuck in their mouths/throats) and so, I would place my bet on internal parasites that have gone so far as to misshaping him this way. I once had a very sick fish with completely deformed belly, and I figured he was full of parasites/swollen from the infections.

It may also be a tumors in the gut, and either way, it looks really bad If you have the possibility, please do take little Willy to a vet asap! They may actually help! Especially as the fish hasn't eaten in so long

Thank you all for the advice and suggestions. It is most bizarre, especially since the growth seemed to happen really really fast and came out of nowhere. I'll have to make some decisions on what's best for Willy.

I agree with Nossie: I think it is most definately a tumor. If it is, there isn't much you could do for it. Because he hasn't eaten or swam around, I would consider it a safe assumption that poor Willy isn't going to live much longer unless something is done. There is conflicting evidence whether or not fish actually feel pain, so I perceive it best to let that be left up to the analysist (though I personally think they do feel pain to some degree). If you take him to the vet, there is a chance he will live but most likely he will need an operation of some kind to remove the mass on his side. Also, many vets do not treat fish.

If I was in your place I would send Willy off to the great tank in the sky. I think he would be much happier there than here, without a frighteningly grotesque growth or suffering from an unknown ailment. Perminant swim bladder problems can lead to other issues as well, such as other fish "picking" on them. It is the way nature takes care of the 'different' animals...by destroying them that they may not reproduce.

Though the decision is yours, I will strongly advise doing what you feel is best for your fish long-term.

Ah, I forgot to answer one question: Yes, fish do feel pain, but they are special in the way that they can't feel intense pain. Now, I don't know how to motivate that, but it's a scientifical fact. That's at least a comfort, but just seeing the fish being in such bad shape breaks my heart I've had two incredibly sick fish and it was terrible

Pappy, I had read this before and so glad you found the link to it and shared it. The freezer method I'm not sure about but it is used. Think about the goldfish that stay in ponds over the winter and they survive. However, I think they are deep enough in ponds that they remain just below the frozen water and hibernate. The clove method seems to be the most gentle and I've got it on my list of things to have in the first aid kit for all my babies

Thank you for the ideas for humanly euthanizing Willy. However even though I bought the clove oil and had everthing ready to go I couldn't do it. Clove oil must be the most toxic substance ever. I left it in a plastic cup that was prepared for Willy's demise overnight after the pardon. Clove oil actually melted the plastic wow glad I didn't kill my fish that way. Willy is a special fish I suppose and he has started eating and swimming more. Guess he now is just a one eyed, non floating tumor fish.

The freezer method shuts off the fish, just like the hibernation thing, so he's practically asleep when he freezes. And as long as you leave him completely alone in the dark freezer (OH NOO!! ) He should die peacefully and painlessly.

But so far... I've thought about euthanizing both Marneus and Claymore, but I just couldn't... the moment after when I decided to check on my babies (they weren't sick at the same time, there was about 6 months between each), they were both dead already